Mission Basundhara 3.0: Admin dilly dally to deprive 80,000 indigenous people in Cachar, Hailakandi

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 2, 2024

Over 80,000 people may miss out on having their land records updated under Mission Basundhara 3.0 in Cachar and Hailakandi districts of Assam’s Barak Valley, due to delays in updating the online application system for the initiative.

Launched on October 20 by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Mission Basundhara 3.0 aims to streamline land revenue services and make them more accessible to Assam’s  indigenous people.

The mission focuses on accelerating the resolution of land record-related issues and reducing the backlog through a mission-mode approach. By simplifying the process for updating records, it seeks to create a more efficient land management system, ultimately fostering ease of doing business in the state’s land revenue ecosystem.

However, the system update delays in Cachar and Hailakandi are causing significant concern among residents, who fear they may be left out of this important initiative.

Under the scheme, indigenous people were expected to submit online applications for land record updates between October 20 and December 31. However, as of now, the district commissioners’ offices in Cachar and Hailakandi districts have not yet activated the online application system, causing confusion and concern among the local population.

Sebastine Pahkynteng, chairman of the Khasi Jaintia Development Council, Assam, expressed frustration over the delay, noting that a memorandum has been submitted to Chief Minister Sarma and the Cachar District Commissioner, but no response has been received. The Khasi and Jaintia communities, with roots in the area dating back to the pre-British era, rely heavily on traditional agriculture, such as areca nut, maize, and paddy cultivation, for their livelihoods.

Pahkynteng highlighted that, amidst growing challenges such as land encroachment, these communities feel increasingly vulnerable and uncertain about the security of their ancestral lands for future generations. He emphasized the importance of Mission Basundhara in addressing their land issues and providing long-term stability, urging for the online application system to be made available promptly to avoid further delays in accessing these crucial services.

Pahkynteng has urged the Chief Minister to address the situation with urgency. He called for widespread media publicity to highlight the need for alternative solutions that would allow indigenous people in Cachar and Hailakandi districts to access land rights without relying solely on the online application process.

Pahkynteng proposed extending the application deadline until the completion of land digitization in these districts, ensuring that the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities can fully benefit from this significant initiative. He emphasized that without such measures, more than 80,000 indigenous individuals risk being deprived of their land rights, which are essential for their livelihoods and cultural heritage.